Drilling apparatus



Nov, 6, 192s. 1,690,469

E. WHlNN EN DRILLING APPARATUS Filed April 6', 1924 2 sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 6, 192s. 1,690,469

E. WHINN EN DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Apri11924 2 sheets-sheet 2 4 //1 /7 k7 r/VV /5 f /Q A 5a Z5 ZZ) 'I Il' i l rVn 'il ifm 1li y. 4.

" driven by a, suitablesteam engine 4. while Patented Nov.. 6, 192%.

orairapjerar .EUG-ENE /VHNNEN, 01TA LGNG BEACH, CALIFORNIA; ASSIGNOR T SULLVAN' CHNERY COMPANY, .EL CORPORTION MASSACHUSETTS,

resalta earner critica.

parttime .arramians Application filed Aprill 3,

' such anapparatus with improved 'means for controlling the rodline which is sure in operation and conveniently operable by an operator at hisstation near the drillingme'chay nism. i'still urther'object of my invention is to provide an improvedfeed controlling mechanism especially adapted `to use 4in conl nectionwith a griet stem whereby the rod line may be rotatedA while being lowered.

.These and other'objec'ts and advantages of -my invention will hereinafter morel fully appear.

ln the accompanyino drawings l have shownJ for purposesof illustration one. form which my invention may assume practice. ln these drawings,- i Fig. 1 is a frontelevation' partially in sec tion showing a drilling Yapparatus of the hydraulic core drill type equipped with'my improvement.

' 4Fig.2 is an' enlarged detail view .ofl the controlling mechanism,- certain partsbeing shownin section to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of part of this mecha'- nism. "1' -Y f Fig.A 1 1 is a transverse sectional view of the griefstem. y In this illustrative construction I have shown my improvement as applied to a core drilloi a well known commercial 'type com. prising a hydraulic feeding cylinderand piss `ton 1, a lioistilngdrum 2, and rod line rotatcontrolling or upper -releasable chuck mechaing mechanism 43,.both of the-latter b eing a lower chuck mechanism is .provided beneath the cylinder and avusual swivel head 6 is disposed Iabove the latter, the construction being such thatthe rod line-may be fed longitudinally relative` to the hydraulicv cylinder and rotated while it is fed, improved nism, generally dz'asign'ated 7 and hereafter more particularly described, being lherein disposed above the swivel head 6. More specifically 'it will be observed that the larger' surfaces 1 5.

1924.' serial in. maar?.

Atube' 6a is secured to the feed piston and eX-` vtends upwardly within the usual swivel head 6. The collated upper end of. the tubea is journaled in -usual ball thrustbearings 7a-supported within the swivel head 6. It

the inner tubev and consequently the grief stem` 8 while'theouter'tubeiermits the feeding of the grle stem upwar ly or downward- `will thus be evident that the gear 3 drives l'y as desired, the thrust of the rod line being y absorbed by the thrust bearings 7- within the swivel lieadj 6, all as art. Referring more particularlyto thisconstruc--.

tion, it will be noted that herein a grief stem well known in, the

8 of square .cross section is extendedthrough the machine, .this stempassing 'through the 'chuck mechanism 7, the head' 6, the cylinder 1 and the lower, chuck 5, thefchuck mechanism 7 being adapted to control ythe freedom oit movement ofthe stem 8 from a point adjacent the front of the drill as through .a suit; able operating member 9. Considering the'v upper chuck mechanismv 7 vmore specincally, "it will be notedthat. it comprises a casingv vmember lothreaded as at 11 onthetubular I.

member 5b. rotated by the rotation mecha-- knismv and through which the stein'S yispassed.

Moreover, it will benotedthat this member 10 -has an enlarged generally vcup-shaped upper xportion 12 carrying a plurality vof wedge-like stem l'gripping members or slips 13 herein founadapted to grip the'four surfaces of the square stem and for this purpose provided withk gripping surfaces 14 ont-heir inner sirfaces andfop'positewedge surfacesV 15 adapted to cooperate with corresponding surfaces on the member 12. Herein, it will be noted that these members 13 are 'each provided with pins 16 adapted to move insulta-l ble guides 17 and themember 12'-, Ithe guides 17 hereinbeing disposed parallel to the wedge Attention is also directed to the fact thata cover plate 1 8 having an, axial opening therein. for the stem, is disposed over .the member 12 in such manner as secnre ly to retain the members 13 in operative relation.' Itwill also bev noted that each of one of its ends at 27 and having a longer arm yciitending outward from the latter pivot and pivoted at 2S to the upper end of the member 9.

In operation the gripping members 13 op- .erate by the wedge principle to hold the stem 8 andits connected rod line against down-l ward movement from any given position and are releasable and connectible at will in such manner as to facilitate feeding. Thus, for example, when the feeding. mechanism has been operated until the piston of the hydraulic feed 1 is at the bottom of the cylinder, the stem 8 is connected to the 'hoist 2 through a usual connection and operated in such manner that lthe weight of the stein 8 and rod line connected thereto is carried by the hoist. Then the lower chuck 5 is released and the member 9 is pulled down to throw up the short end of the lever 26 which in turn causes the members 13 to be raised and thereby release the stem 8 so that the piston of the hydraulic feeding mechanism 1 may be run up for a fresh feed. llhen the hydraulic has thus been run up, the member 9 is againpushed up in such manner as to cause the jaws 13 to grip the stein and the lower chuck 5 is 4then reset, whereupon the weight of the rod 8 and `rod line is'released from the hoist by slackening the usual connections and the feeding apparatus is prepared to feed down` a further. section of rod line. Another mode of operation is to set the clamp on the rods when the hydraulic piston is an inch'or two from its lowest position and then run the piston down to release the jawsof the top clutch, this modeof operation minimizing .clutehh-andling and the need for starting the hoist.

Further, it will be noted that I have herein shown my improvement as applied to use in v `vrconnection with a core drill, it being espe'-A i mud or sand in the bottom of the vhole and.

cially desirable to operate a grief stem with such a drill where there is a large amount of rotation of the rod line during lowering isaecordin'gly desirable, or when the drill is doing lishtailing as during drilling in soft strata of no value, my improved construction wherein the 4coaxially -disposel hydraulic mecha- -nism imposes no limitation on the length of feed while vthe stemd isV rotating, enabling a core drill to operate with the facility of a rotary in meeting either of these conditions.

More particularly it will be noted that with my improved construction when lowering the rods by the hoist and simultaneously rotating the same, the mechanism 7 may be released, the grief stem 8 then being turnedby the rotating mechanism through Ithe usual lower chuck 5 which for the purpose is preferably,u provided with smooth jaws of suitable con-r formation or-a suitable apertured pla'te as seems most desirable, although obviously if desired rotation may be effected through the top chuck mechanism in a similar manner.

ing mechanisms of well known commercial types now in general use. Attention is here also directed to the fact that when stems or rods of different section are used members 13 having different 'shaped gripping surfaces may be substituted readily.

lNhile I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assumein practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illust-ration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms and applied to other drills than core drills without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

`What` claim as new and vdesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

draulic rod line feeding mechanism, rod line rotating mechanism.,l and a plurality of chuck mechanisms -for connecting .the rod lline iii driving relation with said feeding and rotating mechanisms, one of said chuck mechanisms being connectible to and rotatable with the rod line, and operating means for substantially instantaneously connecting or disconnecting said last mentioned chuck mechanism at will, said operating means being operative to disconnect said. chuck mechanism from the rod -line during rotation thereof.

2. A drilling apparatus comprising a hydraulic rod line feedingmechanism. rod line rotating mechanism including a swivel head.

a top chuck mechanism disposed above said swivel head. a cooperating bottom chuck said chuck meehanisms'being adapted to con- .meehanism disposed below said swivel head,

neet the rod line in driving lrelation in said feeding mechanism, and operating means for said top chuck mechanism for-substantiallyl instantaneously connecting or releasing said top chuck mechanism including controlling 'nectible wedge mechanism operating at'a Lego,

Imechanism operable from a point-substantially below said feeding mechanism.

3. Drilling apparatus comprisinga hydraulic' feeding mechanism, rotation mechanism including a chuck connectible to the rod line below said hydraulic mechanism, a swivel he'aid connected thereto above said hydraulic mechanism, a releasable chuck mechanism operating at a point above said head, and means extendingbelow said chuck.

mechanism for manuallyieleasing or connectpoint above said head. 5. rllie.combination .with a' core drilling mechanism, of rodfliiie feedingl mechanism,

agrief stem and rotating and connecting Linecha'nismincluding a plurality yfof chuck mechanisms operating on said grief stem,

one,.of said chuck mechanisms 'being connectible to and rotatable with said grief stem, and operating means for substantially instantaneously connecting orjreleasing said. last mentioned Vchuck,mechanism at will, said operating means being-operative to disconneet said chuclrmechan'ism from the grief stem during rotation thereof.

6. rlhe combination with a core drillingl "mechanism, o f rod line feeding. mechanism, a

I grief stem, land rotating and connectingme'chanism including a 'plurality of chuck. mech-` anisms operating on said stein, one ofsaid 'eee 5 lsaid rotation element may be rotated during lowering beyond the feeding range of said hydraulic, said `rod being freely movable through said feeding and rotation mechanisms while v,rotation thereof by said rotation .element is continued.

V9.'The combination Vwith drilling mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechanism land rotation mechanism including a final rotation element, a rod extending axially vthroughsaid feeding mechanisnrand said .rotation element, and means including mechaiiisinv through' which said rod is likewise passedwlierebysaid rod may be rotated during lowering beyond the feeding rangeof said hydraulic, said rod being freelymovable through said feeding and rotation mechanism while `rotation .thereof by said 4`rotation ele- 'ment is continued.- i

' 10; ln combination with drilling mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechanism includingafeed cylinder and a piston therein, a iod extending axially through'said cylinder,` and means including a releasable chuck engaging said 'rod Awhereby said-rod may be ,rotated during lowering beyondtlie feeding range A-of said hydraulic.

11. Aln"combination witlidrilling mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding meehanism including a feed cylinder and a piston therein, a rod extending axially through said cylinder, and means vincluding @cooperating chuckaiid rotating members through which said v.rod is'likewise passed whereby said rod may be rotated during lowering 4beyond the feeding range ofrsaid hydraulic..`

12. n combination witl drillingmechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechachuck mechanisms being c onnectible to and-'mism including a, feed cylinder and a piston rotatable with said grief stem, and operating' means for ysubstantially vinstantaneously connecting or releasing said ylast mentioned chuck mechanism a'tA will, said operating means. being operative 'to disconnectsaid-*last mentherein, a rod extending axially through said cylinder, and means including a releasable chuck engaging said rod lat a point above said hydraulic whereby said rod may be rotated during lower-ing beyondthe feeding range of tioned chuckl mechanism vfrom said griefstem. Said hydraulic.

during rotation thereof.

"7. The comb'nationwith drilling mechanism including a ,hydraulic feeding mechanism androtation `mechanism including afinal driving element, of mea-iis including mechanism coaxial ywithA said feeding mech-f i anism whereby a .rod extending aXia-ll'y therethrough :and through said' rotation element I may be rotatedduring lowering beyond' the.. 55`

feeding rangeof said hydraulic, said rod. bcing :freely movable through said feeding andv Y. rotation mechanisms .while rotation thereof 'by said rotation elementl is continued.

8. -'l`he combination with' 'drilling-'incohan'isin including a hydraulic' feeding-mechanism and rotation 'mechanism including a' f final drivingelem'ent, off means including 'chuck and rotating devices-coaxial with said feeding 'mechanism whereby a roid extending.

axially throughfsaid feeding mechanism and i3. n combination-with drilling mechamsm comprisinga hydraulic'feeding' mech- .anism including afeed 'cylinder vand a piston therein, a rod extending axially through said 'cylindenandl means including a releasable chuckengaging said rod' at a point aboveisa-id lidlaulicand a cooperating rotating means likewise engaging said rod whereby said rod may/loe rotated during lowering beyond the feedingiange 'ofsaid hydraulib.

'14. In"`combination with drilling mechanism comprisingahydraulic feeding mechuanisni, including feed cylinder and piston ele- `inents, a swivel 'head 'above the latter, andv means including a releasable chuck above said swivel head whereby a rod extending axially through said. first mentioned elements may be rotated and lowered while rotating beyond the feeding range of said hydraulic. y15. In combination with, drilling mechaments, a swivel head above the latter, and

means including a releasable chuck above said swivel head and cooperating rotating mechaiism whereby a rod extending axially through said first mentioned elements may be rotated and lowered while rotating beyond the feeding range of said hydraulic.

16.l In combination with a drilling' mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechanism including a feed cylinder and a feed piston therein, a grief stemextending axially through said feed cylinder, and means whereby said stem may be rotated and fed during lowering independently of said hydraulic feeding mechanism including a power driven rotation element by means of which said stem is rotated both during said hydraulic feeding andduring said independent feeding.

17. In combination with a core drilling mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechanism'including a feed cylinder and a piston therein and a rod line rotating mechanism, a grief stem extending axially through said 4feed cylinder, and means whereby said` stem may be rotated and fed during lowering, said means including a top chuck releasable at will.

18. ln combination with a core drilling mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechanism including a feed cylinder and a piston therein and a rod line rotating mechanism, a grief stein extending axially through said ,feed cylinder, and means whereby said stem may be rotated and fed during lowering, said means including a top chuck releasa-ble at will and comprising a plurality of wedge members operating to grip` said grief stem.

19. In combination with a core drilling mechanism comprising a hydraulic feeding mechanism and a` rod line rotating mechanism, a grief stem, and means whereby said stem may bcrotated and fed during lowering, said means including a top chuck releasable at will and comprising a plurality of wedge members operating to grip said grief stem and control mechanism operable from a -point substantially below said mechanism.

20. In combination with a core drilling apparatus, hydraulic feeding mechanism,-

power rotation mechanism` a chuck mechanism operatively connected to both of said mechanisms, a. rotatable grief stem extending through said mechanisms, hoisting mechanism connectible to said grief stem, and supplemental chuck mechanism connectible to and rotatable with said grief stein and releasable or connectible at will during rotation thereof.

21. Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic feeding mechanism, rotating mechanism including a tubularinember, a plurality of chuck mechanisms carried by and rotatable with said tubular member, and

operating means for one of said chuck mechanisms whereby the same may be quickly applied or released during rotation thereof.-

22. Drilling apparatus comprising hy- .draulic 'feedingmechanism, rotating mechanism including a tubular member, a plurality of chuck mechanisms carriedby and rotatable with said tubular member, and a grief stem extending through said tubular member and engageable by said chuck mechanisms, said grief stem being adapted to move freely through said tubular ineinb'er while said stein is lrotated thereby.

23. Drilling apparatus comprising hydraui lic feeding mechanism, rotating mechanism including` atubular member,- a plurality of chuck mechanisms carried by the upper and lower ends of and rotatable with said tubular member, and a grief stem extendinof through said tubular member and engageabe by said chuck mechanisms, said grief stem beingadapted to move freely through said tubular member while said stem is rotated thereby.

24. Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic feeding mechanism, a grief stem, rotating mechanism coaxial with said feeding mechanism for rotating said grief stem and including a tubular member extending through said feeding mechanism, a plurality' may move freely through said chuck mechanisms while rotation of said stem is continued. 1

26,. Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic feeding mechanism including a feed cylinder, a grief stem, rotating mechanism disposed coaxially with said feed cylinder for rotating said grief stem, and a plurality ofchuck mechanisms, one of said chuck mechanisms having wedgeshaped slips for engaging said grief stem. f

2. Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic feeding mechanism, rotation mechanism including a chuckconnectible to the rod line below said hydraulic mechanism, a releasable top chuck mechanism disposed above vsaid 'hydraulic mechanism, and operating means extending below said hydraulic mechanism. for quicklyreleasing said top chuck mechanism y 28- Drilling apparatusl comprising hynect said top chuck mech anism.V

. dra'ulic feeding mechanism, rotation mechanism including a chuck connectible to the rod line below said hydraulic mechanism, a releasable top .chuck mechanism disposed above A said lhydraulic mechanism and connectible to and rotatable with .the rod line` and means for releasing said top chuck mechanism atwill .during rotation thereof. I

29. Drilling apparat-us' comprising hy.-v

draulic'feeding mechanism including a feed cylinder and a'piston therein, rotating mechanisniA disposed coaXially with-.said cylinder including` a grief stem, and a plurality| of chuck mechanisms one .of which includes a V l plurality of wedge members egageable with said grief stem.

30. Drilling apparatus` comprising hydraulic feedingmechanism including. a tubular-member, a swivel headcarried by'said .tubular member, rotating mechanism coml pris-ing a'tubular member disposed jcoaxially with said irstmentioned tubular member, a chuck mechanism carried by the lower end Oof said rotation member, a top chuck mechanism carried by oneof said tubular'members above said swivel head, and operating means whereby the operator may quickly release orcon-l 31. Drilling apparatus comprising hyv draulic feedingmechanism including a feed i cylinder and. a' piston thereinuand a hollow :drive member 'movable with said piston, ro-' tation mechanism comprising-a grief stein extending coaxially through said drive member Yand said feed cylinder, and a meinber`.en-. gageable with saidgrief stem for rotating the -latter while thesame may freely slidev through said drivemember.v i l 32. Drilling apparatus comprising *hydraulicfeeding means includinga feed cylinder and apiston'therein,rotation means com-` prising a tubular member arranged coaxially with said feed cylinder and movable'with said piston, a 'grief stem extending coaXially through said tubular member, and a member engageable with said grief stem for rotating the latter whilethe same may freely slide through said tubular member.-

33. Drilling appara-tus. comprising hydraulic feeding means including a feed cylinder and a piston therein, rotation means comprising a tubular member arranged coaxially with saidfeed cylinder and movable with said piston, aV grief stem extending coaiiially throughsaid tubular member, a member engageable with said grief steinl for rotating the latter while the same may freely slide througliisaid tubular member,iand al chuclil f mechanism 'carried by said tubular member and rotatable therewith,

.34. The combination with' arotary well 'drilling apparatus comprising a drill stem,

,of a. hydraulic cylinder around said stem, ,means for admitting fluid to said cylinder,

means for permitting fluid to leave said cyl- 65 inder-7 an apertured .piston in said 'cylinder encircling said stem, a pipe ysecuredl to, or

integral with, said piston, andA extending above said cylinder and encircling said stem, a bearing plate secured to' saidpipe, a second 70 pipe within the first mentioned' ,pipe andv rotatable relative thereto i and supported thereby, a second plate rotatablerelative to said bearing plate'and secured .to said second pipe, rand slips between -said stem andsaid lsecond pipe. I

35. lThe combination with rotary Well drilling apparatus comprising a-r drill stein,- ofahydraulic vcylinder around said stem, means for admitting-Fluid to said cylinder, means 'forA permitting' iiuid vtofleave said cylinder,

an aperturedpiston in Asaid cylinder eiig circling said stem, a pipe secured'. to, :or integral w1th,s a1d piston and extending :above said cylinderand encircling said stem, abeari ling 'plate securedto said'pipe, a second4 pipe within thefirst mentioned pipe and rotatable relative thereto and supported thereby, a sec-- 0nd plate rotatable relative to said bearing plate and securedto said second pipe,v slips' 90 vbetween said stem and said second pipe, and lahoriz'ontally movable platform for moving hydraulic apparatus awayfrom `or to a Well."

Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic feeding mechanism includingl a tubular member, a swivel head carried by said tnbularmember, a grief stem,y rotation mechanism for said' grief stem comprising a tubu-u lar member 'disposed coaxially with said first 10c mentioned tubular member, a chuck mecha msm-.carried bythe lower vend of said rotationinember., .atop chuck mechanism car-f ried by one`offsaid tubular membersabove saidfswivel head, said cliuek'mechanisms be-v 105 ing connectible to said hgrief stem, and means whereby said grief stem may slide freely through said chuck mechanisms whilerotation ofsaid 'stem is continued. j "37, Drilling apparatus l comprising draulic. feeding means including a 'feed cylinder and a-piston thereon, .rotation means including a rotatable member .arranged coaxially with said feed cylinder, va grief stem extending through said rotatable member and 115 adapted to be rotate-d thereby, and' meansl engageable with saidA griefstem and drivenV by "said" rotating member for rotating said grief stem while the same niovesfreely therethrough-y f 38. Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic-feeding mechanism, a grief stem, i'o-l -tation mechanism for Vsaid grief stem including a tubular member through which said grief stem extends,a plurality of chuck mechv ari-isms l ca'rriedfbyand rotatable with 4said tubular member' for connecting said grief steml with said feeding mechanism, andmeans I. hy- 11o-j permitting said grief stem to move freely through said chuck mechanisms while rotation of said stem is continued.

39. :Drilling apparatus comprising hydraulic feeding ,mechanism including a feed cylinder and a feed piston therein; rotation means including a rotatable member arranged I ber and adapted' to'be rotated thereby, aide- 'Vice above said hydraulic feedingmechanism for connecting said grief stem thereto, and

`means whereby said grief stem may slide freely through said rotatable member while rotation of. said stem is continued.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

EUGENE WH1NNEN. y 

